Thursday, October 19, 2017

SuiteSports' MIAA Football Player of the Year Watch List: 10/19

Arguably the best two-way player in the state, King Philip's Shane Frommer has the Warriors in prime position to defend their state title.
By SuiteSports Staff

Last season, SuiteSports bestowed its first ever MIAA Football Player of the Year award upon Duxbury quarterback Bobby Maimaron. One year later, SuiteSports is excited to continue its now annual tradition of honoring the top football player in Massachusetts.

While a number of players have certainly made their case with standout performances, only a select few have exhibited the consistent excellence it takes to be named the top player in Massachusetts.

Beginning this week, SuiteSports is proud to unveil its candidates for the 2017 MIAA Football Player of the Year Award. The list will be updated weekly through state championship Saturday on December 2nd.

The winner will be announced alongside SuiteSports’ All-State Team in the second week of December.

Here are our current candidates for the 2017 MIAA Football SuiteSports Player of the Year Award. Players can make their way onto this list as the final weeks of the regular season and playoffs unfold.

Sal Frelick, Sr., Quarterback, Lexington

There may be no player more worth the price of admission than Frelick who, for the second consecutive season, is piling up incredible numbers.

Frelick possesses the rare balance of being able to dominate teams with not only his arm strength and accuracy, but with his legs as well. More often than not, Frelick can be seen beginning his nights by piling up triple-digit rushing yards, before turning to his strengths as a passer to put teams away.

Over the Minuteman’s last two games, the strengths of Frelick have been on full display. In their week six contest versus Belmont it was Frelick’s ability on the ground that paced Lexington, as he rushed for 236 yards in the opening half. Just a week prior, though, it was Frelick’s prowess in the passing game that led the Minuteman to victory, as he went 20-for-22 through the air for 262 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Arlington.

Unfortunately for teams in the Middlesex League, the fall will not be the last they see of Frelick, as his number one sport is baseball, where he is committed to Boston College.

Shane Frommer, Sr., RB/OLB, King Philip

As Shane Frommer goes, so goes King Philip.

One year after Frommer spearheaded the Warriors’ state championship run, he is at it once again, and he Warriors increased their winning streak to 18 in a dominating win over Oliver Ames last weekend.

Currently one of the best two-way players in the state, Frommer has delivered high levels of production on both sides of the ball.

Out of the backfield, Frommer has 811 rushing yards on 122 carries averaging out to an impressive 6.6 yards/carry. He has reached the end zone nine times and has 978 all-purpose yards.

Defensively, meanwhile, Frommer has made just as much of an impact. His 96-yard interception return for a touchdown spearheaded King Philip’s comeback versus Mansfield, and the star linebacker is perhaps the most feared player on a stingy Warrior defense.

Jake Willcox, Jr., Quarterback, Everett

Everett may have lost one Division 1 quarterback to graduation in Jordan McAfee, but it appears they have instantly found another one.

Jake Willcox commandeers an Everett offense that has bulldozed through the competition to date, scoring more than 30 points in all five of its contests. Willcox’s season got off to a blazing start week one against Xaverian when he threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s 38-7 win.

Having the luxury of throwing to some of the most gifted weapons in Massachusetts, including the likes of Isaiah Likely, Mike Sainristil, and Anthony Norcia, Willcox has been remarkably efficient.

Heading into week seven, Willcox is 56-of-74 (76 percent)) through the air while, amassing 1,056 yards and throwing 13 touchdowns. All this even though Willcox is often taken out early in the second half due to his team’s insurmountable halftime advantages, and Everett’s bye in week five.

Steve Bucciaglia, Sr., Quarterback, St. John’s (Shrewsbury)

There is no one in Massachusetts that has filled up the stat sheet quite like St. John’s (Shrewsbury) quarterback Steve Bucciaglia.

Despite going up against the top teams in Division 3 central on a weekly basis, Bucciaglia has shredded opposing defenses, averaging over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns per game.

Bucciaglia has saved his most notable performances for the Pioneers’ most crucial games. In their week five matchup versus archrival Shrewsbury, Bucciaglia threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns while running for another to help the Pioneers pull out a 45-34 victory.

Just one week later going up against Shepherd Hill in a battle for the number one seed in the section, Bucciaglia powered a Pioneer offense that scored on each of its first six drives. He threw for 324 yards and totaled five touchdowns over the first 24 minutes of play.

On a mission to shatter Massachusetts High School single season records, Bucciaglia has thrown 24 touchdown passes and amassed 1,900 passing yards.


Danny Abraham, Sr., RB, Boston College High

Danny Abraham has had plenty of hype surrounding him since he committed to Harvard earlier this year.

All Abraham has done to this point is live right up to it.

The Eagles’ running back has twice rushed for over 250 yards and four scores, including BC High’s season opening win over Andover in which he sprinted for 262 yards on the ground.

On four separate occasions, Abraham has rushed for over 120 yards.

In five of BC High’s six games, Abraham has rushed for at least two scores, with the only exception being the Eagles’ out of state contest versus Hudson Catholic (N.J.).

Abraham’s finest moment of the season came in BC High’s comeback win over St. John’s Prep when, in tandem with quarterback Will Bowen, he helped lead the Eagles’ game winning drive.

Heading into BC High’s final regular season contest against Xaverian, Abraham has 792 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

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